CCE Intern Reception Highlights Community Engagement, Experiential Learning

The CCE Summer Intern Program, places Cornell students (12 from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), seven from the College of Human Ecology (CHE), and three from the Einhorn Center for Community Engagement) in counties and boroughs across New York. From Suffolk to Monroe County and beyond, interns supported existing programs and developed new, innovative outreach initiatives. Their work embodied the spirit of Cornell's land-grant mission and highlighted the positive impact local extension offices have on their communities.

“I had the opportunity to visit some interns this summer,” CCE Director Andy Turner in his opening remarks at the reception, “and seeing the work being done was incredibly inspiring and uplifting .”

During the reception, Anna Lovat ’28, talked about embracing the challenges of connecting with new communities saying “"You have these different ecosystems of people, culture, and community,” she said. “It was very fulfilling to see what Extension educators are doing, learn from their methods, and then figure out how I can best support them.”

During a panel discussion, participants talked about the importance of engaging with communities and translating academic knowledge for a general audience. Joanna Ray '28 spoke about her experience living at the Cornell Biological Field Station at Shackleton Point and conducting outreach activities with youth. " One of my favorite things about the station is that you are able to just knock on someone's door and say, 'Hi, what are you doing? I want to help," she said. "and being able to learn that way was amazing.”

“Hosting interns has elevated our ability to connect with our surrounding community in so many ways.” Said James Watkins, Associate Director, Cornell Biological Field Station and Senior Research Associate, Natural Resources and the Environment Section, “Many new relationships are forged.”

Arabella Ferris ’29 spent her summer working on the Organic Seed Production Research and Education on Yield (OSPREY) project. Talking about her experience Ferris said “I feel like I truly learned from the people I worked with. Crystal's influence on me has kind of reshaped what I think to be a leader."

Summing up a sentiment shared by many of this year's interns, Molly Heinzelman '27 reflected, "I've learned a lot about myself through this, and I wasn't expecting to do that. This experience definitely exceeded my expectations."